Monday, 27 December 2010

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas, I did - my loved ones seem to be learning that if my gifts are yarn I will be happy, it has taken them 2 years to get this far but we are definitely moving in the right direction! I recieved 10 balls of Noro Kureyon in a lovely blue, green and purple colourway and some chunky yarn which is destined to be a hat and mittens.

These socks are inspired by the truck Charlie gives to Bella on her return to Forks. The truck is old and does not go fast, but it is reliable (unless Edward is trying to prevent Bella from going somewhere) and it becomes almost like a friend throughout the first three books, constant and comforting, until it is replaced by Edward at the beginning of the fourth. The truck was once red but over the decades it has faded, in some places more than others. The socks have tyre tracks running from the cuff, down the leg and across the foot. Around the rest of the leg is a diamond pattern inspired by the snow chains Charlie fits to the truck.

The club is open for sign ups here, sign ups will close next week so if you would like to join (and I hope you will!) don't hang around - we've got some exciting yarns and patterns planned, it's going to be great fun

Tuesday, 14 December 2010

The weather has been unusually cold for this time of year, we had heavy snow in November and although where I live in the midlands was not badly affected the temperature did drop to -10 on a few nights. Earlier in the year, when it snowed in January, I was spectacularly unprepared - I had no hand knitted hats, gloves or mittens, throughout the year I have attempted to put this shameful state of affairs right.

First there was the Woolly Wormhead Mystery KAL, I chose pattern B (although I will also knit pattern A because it is very pretty too).

The mystery was revealed and the pattern name is Limpetiole, I used The Thylacine Hartz DK, this yarn is lovely - the colour is so delicate and it was a joy to knit.

The second hat is a Ripley by Ysolda. I had a sudden urge to knit this hat and I started and finished in one evening.

I used The Knitting Goddess Lambswool and Silk Aran, which is gorgeous and very wooly, I adjusted the hat slightly in that mine is in between the slouchy and non-slouchy version. I love this hat - it very rarely leaves my head!

I have plans for several more hats just as soon as I get my endless Christmas knitting out of the way!

PS The When Vampires Knit Socks club is open for sign ups - go here to join in, you know you want to!!